Time for Unity

The TUC has just agreed, overwhelmingly, a strongly worded composite on Public Sector pay which clearly calls for united strike action, albeit Brendan Barber's contribution showed characteristic clarity about the obstacles to unity.

For local government workers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland this development offers us the opportunity to win an argument with our members for further action to secure an improved pay offer.

I hope to learn more here at the TUC about the plans for action being made by other unions - we need to publicise today's important decision to our members. The Government have declared war on public sector workers and, now that we have agreed to unite and fight back it is up to rank and file activists to give effect to this decision.